Chapter 1: Introduction (Draft)

Background of the Study

Around the world, there has been a huge society known as Fandom. It was certainly known as a group of fans who are united as one for the artist they support. Most fans will do anything and everything they can just to show their love and support. This includes going to concerts, buying their albums, attending mall shows and musicals, buying merchandises, voting in hit charts, and represent them by cosplay or doing covers. Throughout the years, fandom has become a serious topic among citizens as well as the idols themselves. It has been spreading out throughout the nation and the number of fans continues to increase every year.

   Since the society have observed that the people who participate in fandom may be exceeding their limits, a member of a girl group from South Korea, Girls’ Generation, Tiffany once said during their fan meeting in New York, “I think being a Sone (the name of their fans) is harder than being a Girls’ Generation member.” Fans also have their own decisions. Some artists thought of them as “crazy good” people because they are inspired and willing to achieve their goals because of them. Some fans may only be joining up the group, but most of them, their love for the idol is sincere. There had been instances that they were able to have a motivation thanks to the idols. (via youtube video source)

   In recent news about fans, they represent themselves as a fan of that particular idol by having a name. Such as Justin Bieber fans as Beliebers, Girls’ Generation fans are called Sones or Directioners for One Direction. Because of this, they are known to the society and most likely, different activities are present. Unlike before, artists have said that counted number of fans only attends their mall shows, compared to present, fans will frequently attend these events unexpectedly. Some fans would travel around the world for them and if they have enough money, they might treat their idols in that specific place. Anything is possible as long as the fans remain loyal and supportive to their idols. Some idols may be hard to be friends with, but without fans knowing, deep inside them, they really want to.

   When it comes to the fandom that spreads out in the Philippines, similar to international artists, local fans would give all their effort for their idols. Since fandom is now known worldwide, Filipino fans are really loyal and lovable to their idols. Nationality is the least important thing when it comes to fandom. In result to this, different fansites are born for fans so they could communicate with each other and continue to update each other about their idols. Even if their idol is in another country or a foreigner, they will organize an event or a gathering wherein fans may be able to attend, an example of this are conventions. This includes, Anime Conventions, KPOP Conventions, Cosplay, and many more.

   Because of this behavior, a lot of citizens would think that fans might be going too far. There is a possibility that they have been spending more time in talking about these idols or watching their videos online rather than doing their daily tasks. Since most fans are teenagers, even the idols themselves are worried. In spite the difficulties of being a fan, they are still there for the idol and yet they will not give up their support. What the society really trying to point out to people is that, they need to balance their activities. Do not let the fandom take over their real life. It is good to know that there are people who admire a person or a character and some of them, they might create a room full of collection of different posters and merchandises but, there will always be a limit in anything a person does.

   Like what has been already stated, there is a limit in anything we do. Yet, there are fans that may be really exceeding the boundaries between them and their idol. People know that a lot of fans are inspired by this idols and they are their source of inspiration, but do not exceed to the point of invading their personal lives or privacy. If that happens, there may be a possibility that they will not be able to perform well on stage or issues may continue to spread. There have been also cases that fans of different idols have encountered arguments about certain issues or news, such as relationships between idols, their impressions in interviews, and others. This results to rumors that antis used to tell. Therefore, to keep things in an organized manner, fans should still consider their limits and what a psychologist have said, “Try to attend other important matters.”

   Since the world of fandom continues to become a serious topic among citizens, this study focuses on the wide culture of fandom; particularly the boundaries in how far should they go.

B. Statement of the Problem

   This study have explored different aspects and activities of fans in any part of the globe, it could be international or local fans. With this, the readers might be able to learn the thing what fans truly feels about the person they idolize. Since a lot of news about fandom have been catching the attention of the citizens and most likely, they are interested if fandom is similar to obsession or the opposite.

The study therefore addressed the question:

What are the boundaries of being a fan?

C. Significance of the Study

   This study aims to relate the benefits of fans to idols. Most of them have said that without the fans, then they would not be popular or their fame would not increase. Fandom may have a different appearance to the society but it allows someone to express himself. Being a fan does not only mean that one is supporting the idol, it was much more than that. It was already said that being a fan is harder than being an artist, which is because they are the ones who spends their time for that particular person and spending amount of money to buy their merchandises, and worse is they defend for the idols themselves.

Its value can be extended through the following:

·         Society

   Many people have been writing posts in their blogs, especially when it comes to social media. Since it has been part of the industry, this information might be a good source for them. This does not only include fans that are willing to read updates and other series of events about the artists, it is also for the antis as well. If there are fans of that particular artist, expect that there would also be an anti. Everyone may have their different opinions in certain things but because of the affection or reaction of the fans, it sometimes results to different conclusions.

·         Teenagers

   The only common thing when it comes to most teenage fans would be “fangirling”. When it comes to male idols, a big percentage of fans are females. The information they need can also be a big help for their own research and other school-related things. Fangirling is only a term used for fans who really love these male artists or fictional characters; it does not show any kind of bad influence. With this, they could come up with the idea that this kind of activity is not that harmful or subjected to obsession; unless the fans will really do something inappropriate.

·         Reporters/ Writers

   Since many people make news or blogs as their main source of information, in this study, it would be the other way around. Writers would write the information they gathered from different sources such as interviews, photos, or video materials, with this study, they can also gather more information about what fandom is really about. It would not only focus on what they have seen through actions around the idols, or what incident a certain fan did in a place, this study might guide them in what particular things a fan would really do for their idols.

·         Parents

   Most parents might be worried about their child’s performance. It could be in school, or other curricular activities that their participation in fandom might affect.  This type of research can be a good example of information they need for them to know what their sons/daughters feel inside.  Maybe half percentage of parents supports their sons/daughter’s likes in certain things because it is something that would make them happy and comfortable.  This study might help them gain more information on why their children support so much and what kind of impact has it caused in their lives.

D. Scope and Limitations

    This study focuses on the culture of fandom, mainly in the activities that fans attend to or attempt to do. Since fandom has been a big part of the society these days, it has its misunderstandings. Obsession has also been considered as a similarity in being fandom among idols. Therefore, this study also aims to provide significant information about what fandom really means to fans themselves.

E. Materials and Methods

   This study contains different articles related to the Culture of Fandom in the society. The researcher’s aim is to discuss the effects of fandom to people and their devotion, as well as its limits between them and the idol’s private personal life. Further information will be gathered and explained in the study to guide the readers and to widen their knowledge about the topic.

   The information has been gathered from different references, such as news, TV debate program, and online articles. However, a survey will be conducted regarding fandom and further information will be added to broaden the findings of this study.

F. Definition of Terms

devotion - the act of devoting; love; fondness; affection; passion

cosplay - a kind of performance art wherein participants tend to role play to represent a specific character or person

sincerity - the quality or state of being sincere

boundary - something that indicates a limit or extent

obsession - a persistent disturbing preoccupation with often an unreasonable idea or feeling

influence  - the power of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways
inspiration - the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions 
private - belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest